Greetings,
I've been an iPod junkie for years now, preferring the iPod nano for its compact size and mobility. I usually replace my nano every year. However, I decided to hold onto my 5th gen a I was a bit hesistant about the new 6th gen. Sadly I lost my iPod a few days ago. Question is-should I buy the 5th gen (some places still stock them) or the 6th gen? What I don't like about the 6th gen is its size (too small, easy to misplace), loss of clicker wheel, reportedly bad battery life and the fact that I can't use a cover to protect the iPod from inevitable scratches/falls etc.
As always, I turn to a.nutter conventional wisdowm on such matters.
Merry Xmas and a Happy 2011,
DG

I have a 6th Gen iPod and I'm "learning to like it. I like the "mini" touch features and really don't think the battery issues are that bad. I like the spring loaded clip too. I only use it at the gym though.

I don't know why, but Apple always takes a moth or two after a new model comes out before they put out protective covers.
I have a new iPod Touch and since it's thinner, there's no cover for it also.

I bought a 5th Gen Nano after the 6th Gen came out, because I didn't like the idea of a touch screen, I wanted to have the video camera, and mostly because I like holding it in my hand, and that's a lot easier with the 5th Gen than with the 6th Gen. I haven't used the 6th Gen, so I can't really comment on that, but I can say that I'm not at all regretting my decision.

I also purchased a 5th Gen after 6th was on the market.
Could not be happier with it, and prefer it over the 6th Gen touch screen which I got to try out on a friends. 5th Gen is compact enough and simply has a much nicer feel and user ergonomics for my taste.

I'd go with a 5th gen. The 6th gen is nice, but lacks many of the features a 5th gen. has, like video camera, video playback. The use of the multitouch interface on such a small screen is tedious for folks with larger fingers (IMHO). The 6th gen. is a bit more fragile too.

Quoting mt99 (Reply 2):I just got a 6 Gen Nano.. its OK.. there is no "Search" function, which would have been nice - but my biggest problem with it is that it is extremely small. I feel that it will be lost very easily

This is true-already I'm forever misplacing sunglasses, USBs, iPods, my cell phone (not an issue since I can always call from another phone and find where it is). I feel the iPod nano was the perfect size anyway, able to fit into anything.

Quoting fridgmus (Reply 1):I have a 6th Gen iPod and I'm "learning to like it. I like the "mini" touch features and really don't think the battery issues are that bad. I like the spring loaded clip too. I only use it at the gym though.